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The sprawling Region of Murcia has just about everything a British expat could want. Just to the east of the ever-popular Andalucía, residents enjoy the warmer weather, the Costa Cálida the heat has created, and a superb collection of Spanish hotspots.

 

Being more affordable and culturally enriching than its neighbouring regions, Murcia has swiftly risen up the ranks as one of the more sought-after places to live in Europe. Still, while few miss the weather and cramped cities, now and then, there’s an innate longing for something a bit more British. Here’s what to look for in Murcia if you feel that itch as a British expat.

 

 

Murcia is teeming with great places to eat, from the more chain-style restaurants to intimate eateries that line the backstreets. There are also plenty of places that have earned a high distinction from Michelin, like the two-star Cabaña Buenavista over in El Palmar, and the starred Frases and Almo de Juan Guillamón – both in Murcia.

 

For as vibrant and delicious as Spanish cuisine is, sometimes, you just want something from back home. For familiar dishes prepared to a very high standard, head to Balsicas for Palcos by Pickled Pair. Although the menu is ever-changing, recent hits have included fish pie, braised beef cheek, roast duck, and you’ll often spot Sunday Lunch available. For a more casual experience with British eats, you can check on the bars.

 

The Vista Sports & Café Bar in El Saladillo offers big eats across classic British and your more American picks, like chips, pies, curly fries, and burgers. Over at New York’s Bar in Gea y Truyols, you’ll find a very British menu topped off by a luxurious fish and chips dish. Of course, for fish and chips British-style, many turn to Peal’s Plaice down in Los Alcázares. Beyond these, keep an eye out for Yorkshire Pride One, The Abbey Tavern and Boston Tavern.

 

 

 

Luckily for natives of Great Britain, the cinematic slate in Western Europe is dominated by English-language releases. While most originate from Hollywood, plenty of British hits make their way to Spanish cinemas. In Costa Cálida, the best places to go for films are Cinesa or Neocine.

 

Neocine boasts several locations across the region, while Cinesa has an extensive, impressive and immersive setup in the Nueva Condomina shopping centre. With 15 screens, you’re bound to find a flick that’ll dazzle you for hours. When venturing into these cinemas, be sure to opt for films marked VO, which marks it being the original version, or more likely VOSE (Versión Original con Subtítulos en Español).

 

Of course, you don’t always have to go out to enjoy some British entertainment. Increasingly, British brands have been putting their offerings online to appease English entertainment-seekers around the world. The prime example of this comes by way of the online roulette offered from one of the country’s most prestigious venues.

 

The Hippodrome attracts millions of tourists visiting London every year. Its selection of lavish table games and slots has held the casino in high standing for decades. Now, the roulette in the casino is live-streamed to their online platform, allowing everyone to play, bet, and maybe win at the Hippodrome in real-time from their devices.

 

While Murcia has so much to offer every British expat, with so many options around, it’s easy for anyone to get that dose of Britishness whenever they want a taste of home.